‘Hulk,’ ‘Happening’ make B.O. green

R-rated Shyamalan film exceeds expectations

Friday the 13th was anything but unlucky for the domestic box office as Marvel and Universal’s Edward Norton starrer “The Incredible Hulk” got off to a strong start, grossing an estimated $21 million from 3,505 theaters to place No. 1 for the day domestically.

The surprise headline was 20th Century Fox’s “The Happening,” from filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. The number 13 turned out to be lucky all the way around for the R-rated horror-thriller. Pic grossed an estimated $13 million from 2,987 runs, exceeding expectations and coming in No. 2 for the day. “Happening,” toplining Mark Wahlberg, made more than double the opening day gross of Shyamalan’s last film, “Lady in the Water.”

“Hulk” should easily win the weekend. The No. 2 spot, however, is up for grabs between “Happening” and DreamWorks Animation/Paramount’s holdover “Kung Fu Panda.”

“Panda,” which will cross the $100 million mark over the weekend in only its second frame, grossed an estimated $10 million on Friday from 4,136 theaters for a cume of $93.6 million. Toon placed No. 3 for the day.

Because family films traditionally do better on Saturday and Sunday, “Panda” could end up in the No. 2 position for the weekend.

Sony’s Adam Sandler-laffer “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan” came in No. 4 on Friday, grossing an estimated $5.5 million from 3,466 runs for a cume of $57.8 million as it headed into its second weekend.

Women continued to flock to New Line and Warner Bros.’ “Sex and the City,” now in its third frame. Film grossed an estimated $3.5 million from 3,155 theaters for a cume of $113.2 million, and placing No. 5 for the day.